Essay on the personal qualities required to fulfill the role of the modern ambulance paramedic
The role of the modern paramedic is one of a highly trained emergency-care professional gone are the days of the ‘stretcher-bearer’ (NHS careers booklet, p10) Paramedics are set the task of providing a rapid medical response to emergency situations like road traffic accidents (RTA’s) accidents at home or even major incidents such as train crashes. This work involves on-site assessment of patients and their immediate needs, as well as providing necessary treatment. For example paramedics are trained to be able to administer intravenous drips and oxygen, and use equipment such as a heart defibrillator on patients that need immediate help.
Through their work, paramedics are likely to encounter emotionally charged and distressing situations. There is also a danger element involved in the role when patients can become violent towards those trying to help them attacks on ambulance staff from one service have increased 23% over the last year alone (BBC). Paramedics can thus been seen to work within a stressful and pressured work environment, where lives can be affected by the outcome of their actions. This can be made even more difficult by the long working hours (a shift can be 12 hours) and shift pattern involved in the ambulance service. The role therefore has a large amount of responsibility, and the ambulance service has a number of qualities they look for in their applicants.
The NHS careers booklet ‘Becoming a member of the ambulance service’ (p8) lists that as a paramedic, the most important qualities include; responsibility, a caring attitude, good people skills, common sense, ability to keep cool in a crisis and academic ability. Why the ambulance service looks for these qualities will now be discussed.
Intellectual ability identified through academic qualifications is required by the ambulance service. This is due to the amount of training and expert emergency care knowledge…
Would you like to read the rest of
"Essay on the personal qualities required to fulfill the role of the modern ambulance paramedic"?
Simply use the form below to login or register now - it is completely FREE.
You well get access to hundreds more Health essays, just like this one!
Loading...
Login or Register:
Login or register and get access to hundreds of essays FOR FREE.
Either click here to register, or use the form below to login...
Register
Retrieve password
Tags: ambulance, care professionals, NHS, paramedics, patients
